punica granatum, commonly called pomegranate, is a multi-stemmed deciduous (evergreen in tropical areas) shrub or small tree that grows to 6-20’ (less frequently to 30’) tall. it has long been cultivated for its orange-sized edible fruit and its attractive ornamental plant features. it is native from southern europe to northern india, but has naturalized over time around the mediterranean and in a number of additional warm weather climates throughout the world including parts of the southeastern and southwestern u. s. in proper growing conditions, trumpet-shaped, orange-red flowers (to 1 1/4” wide) bloom throughout the summer singly or in clusters at the branch ends. flowers give way to orange-sized, leathery-skinned, globose fruits (pomegranates to 2-4” diameter) that ripen to yellow tinged with red. fruit interior is divided into compartments packed with fleshy, juicy, edible sacs (arils) that surround the seeds. the juicy sacs (along with the seed inside each) are edible fresh or may be incorporated into jams or jellies. grenadine is a syrup (concentrated juice) that is used to flavor drinks. narrow, pointed, oblong-lanceolate, glossy green leaves (to 4” long) are opposite or in whorls. in fall, foliage turns yellow in non-tropical areas.

in the folk medicine of mediterranean countries and in ancient ayurveda, punica granatum seeds (ie, pomegranate seeds) have been used for treatment of various disorders, including those that nowadays are classified as menopausal symptoms (mss). pomegranate seed oil (pso) from those seeds mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids such as γ-linoleic acid and linolenic acid, but it also includes phytoestrogens.

punica granatum, commonly called pomegranate, is a multi-stemmed deciduous (evergreen in tropical areas) shrub or small tree that grows to 6-20’ (less frequently to 30’) tall. it has long been cultivated for its orange-sized edible fruit and its attractive ornamental plant features. it is native from southern europe to northern india, but has naturalized over time around the mediterranean and in a number of additional warm weather climates throughout the world including parts of the southeastern and southwestern u. s. in proper growing conditions, trumpet-shaped, orange-red flowers (to 1 1/4” wide) bloom throughout the summer singly or in clusters at the branch ends. flowers give way to orange-sized, leathery-skinned, globose fruits (pomegranates to 2-4” diameter) that ripen to yellow tinged with red. fruit interior is divided into compartments packed with fleshy, juicy, edible sacs (arils) that surround the seeds. the juicy sacs (along with the seed inside each) are edible fresh or may be incorporated into jams or jellies. grenadine is a syrup (concentrated juice) that is used to flavor drinks. narrow, pointed, oblong-lanceolate, glossy green leaves (to 4” long) are opposite or in whorls. in fall, foliage turns yellow in non-tropical areas.

in the folk medicine of mediterranean countries and in ancient ayurveda, punica granatum seeds (ie, pomegranate seeds) have been used for treatment of various disorders, including those that nowadays are classified as menopausal symptoms (mss). pomegranate seed oil (pso) from those seeds mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids such as γ-linoleic acid and linolenic acid, but it also includes phytoestrogens.